Though I do not like to admit it, without my support system, I would not be where I am today. I have been supported through every turn and flip on the rollercoaster that is my life. I believe that going to school and sitting in class is the easy part, but what you do on your own time can determine your future. My family and my friends have helped shape the person I am today through all of the lessons and ideas that they have instilled in me over the years.
Chris, my older brother, was always a year above me in school, which ended up motivating me in many ways. My competitive outlook on life was initiated when he went to preschool. After a year without him at home to play with, I decided (begged my parents) to go to preschool a year early so I could be with him. Since then, he has been my inspiration. He is truly an amazing athlete, whom I envy, but even more than his athleticism I envy his brilliance. Chris can see a topic that interests him, go to the library, and read book after book on the subject. To this day, he asks for textbooks for Christmas and even though I laugh, deep down I think it is incredible. My brother and I both got our drive to learn from our parents.
My parents had a pretty strict structure for Chris and I during our early schooling. After our parents woke us up in the morning, we walked directly to school, went to our sports, then came home and did homework. My mom would be there when we came home from school to help us with any homework we had. My dad would come home later after he got out of work to have dinner with us. Then, every night, they would read to us. Looking back, I needed that structure starting at a young age in order to accomplish what I have in my life. The help my brother and I received at such a young age did not diminish as we grew older. Whenever we were assigned a research project in high school, my mom was ready to take us to the library and help us find useful sources. My parents helped in other ways as well. When I was tired and just wanted to watch TV, my parents would turn it off and force me to finish my homework. Without their help and motivation, I never would have become the student that I am.
My family really impressed me when I entered high school. By this age, I had an idea of who I was as a person, but I was worried that my parents might disapprove. When I had to choose my classes, I chose the ones that I wanted rather than what I thought my parents wanted. I was not the type of kid that could go to school, sit through all honors classes, and then go straight home and do my homework. I explained to them that I wanted to be in regular classes with my friends, and I wanted to be able to play sports and do other things. My parents embraced me. They were proud of me for coming to that conclusion about myself and encouraged me to go with it. So, no, I didn’t take the hardest classes in high school. With the support of my parents, I excelled in many different areas, including but not to limited to academics, which allowed me to form the friendships I have today.
Although my family has played a huge roll in my development, my friends represent an equally important factor in my success; without them I would be lost. We are the “six pack”, or that was what we were called in high school. Those five other girls have literally been there for me through everything you could imagine. Although much of our time was spent together playing sports, we always found time for academics. Our time management skills were crucial, as we had limited time after practices. Usually we would do our homework in a group. Interestingly, all six of us range academically from almost dropping out, to needing extra help, to mainstream, and to honors. But I learned something from every single one of them. They are why I want to become a teacher. In a way, through them, I experienced education from many different viewpoints, and witnessed how different students learn. I want to be able to help all types of students in all different situations, and my friends have already given me a jump-start.
My support system outside of school has been equally, if not more, important than the support I got in school. Academically I have excelled because of my family and my friends pushing me to do so. They sat with me to study and gave their time when I needed help. Although I used to take this for granted, I have realized that what I have is special, and not everyone is as fortunate as I am.
Though I do not like to admit it, without my support system, I would not be where I am today. I have been supported through every turn and flip on the rollercoaster that is my life. I believe that going to school and sitting in class is the easy part, but what you do on your own time can determine your future. My family and my friends have helped shape the person I am today through all of the lessons and ideas that they have instilled in me over the years.
Chris, my older brother, was always a year above me in school, which ended up motivating me in many ways. My competitive outlook on life was initiated when he went to preschool. After a year without him at home to play with, I decided (begged my parents) to go to preschool a year early so I could be with him. Since then, he has been my inspiration. He is truly an amazing athlete, whom I envy, but even more than his athleticism I envy his brilliance. Chris can see a topic that interests him, go to the library, and read book after book on the subject. To this day, he asks for textbooks for Christmas and even though I laugh, deep down I think it is incredible. My brother and I both got our drive to learn from our parents.
My parents had a pretty strict structure for Chris and I during our early schooling. After our parents woke us up in the morning, we walked directly to school, went to our sports, then came home and did homework. My mom would be there when we came home from school to help us with any homework we had. My dad would come home later after he got out of work to have dinner with us. Then, every night, they would read to us. Looking back, I needed that structure starting at a young age in order to accomplish what I have in my life. The help my brother and I received at such a young age did not diminish as we grew older. Whenever we were assigned a research project in high school, my mom was ready to take us to the library and help us find useful sources. My parents helped in other ways as well. When I was tired and just wanted to watch TV, my parents would turn it off and force me to finish my homework. Without their help and motivation, I never would have become the student that I am.
My family really impressed me when I entered high school. By this age, I had an idea of who I was as a person, but I was worried that my parents might disapprove. When I had to choose my classes, I chose the ones that I wanted rather than what I thought my parents wanted. I was not the type of kid that could go to school, sit through all honors classes, and then go straight home and do my homework. I explained to them that I wanted to be in regular classes with my friends, and I wanted to be able to play sports and do other things. My parents embraced me. They were proud of me for coming to that conclusion about myself and encouraged me to go with it. So, no, I didn’t take the hardest classes in high school. With the support of my parents, I excelled in many different areas, including but not to limited to academics, which allowed me to form the friendships I have today.
Although my family has played a huge roll in my development, my friends represent an equally important factor in my success; without them I would be lost. We are the “six pack”, or that was what we were called in high school. Those five other girls have literally been there for me through everything you could imagine. Although much of our time was spent together playing sports, we always found time for academics. Our time management skills were crucial, as we had limited time after practices. Usually we would do our homework in a group. Interestingly, all six of us range academically from almost dropping out, to needing extra help, to mainstream, and to honors. But I learned something from every single one of them. They are why I want to become a teacher. In a way, through them, I experienced education from many different viewpoints, and witnessed how different students learn. I want to be able to help all types of students in all different situations, and my friends have already given me a jump-start.
My support system outside of school has been equally, if not more, important than the support I got in school. Academically I have excelled because of my family and my friends pushing me to do so. They sat with me to study and gave their time when I needed help. Although I used to take this for granted, I have realized that what I have is special, and not everyone is as fortunate as I am.